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Your Quotes for 4 January 2006 - Everett Dirksen

Everett McKinley Dirksen was born at Pekin, Illinois on this day in 1896. A college dropout (University of Minnesota) and a successful businessman, he served in Congress from 1932 to 1946 and in the Senate from 1950 until his death in 1969. The "Wizard of Ooze" probably had the most powerful voice in the US Senate in the 20th century, in both senses of the word. As a leader of the Republican party he went from being a major critic of Truman to a great supporter of LBJ, particularly on civil rights. The 1967 novelty recording of "Wild Thing" by "Senator Dirksen" was not actually sung by him, although he actually had a Top 40 hit with "Gallant Men" at the same time.

A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking about real money.

I must use beautiful words, I never know when I might have to eat them.

Life is not a static thing. The only people who do not change their minds are incompetents in asylums, who can't are those in cemeteries.

When all is said and done, the real citadel of strength of any community is in the hearts and minds and desires of those who dwell there.

When a member of the House moves over to the Senate, he raises the IQ of both bodies.
     - All from Everett McKinley Dirksen, 1896 - 1969

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